William Sharp

William Sharp was an engraver active throughout a long span of the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, documented between 1700 and 1817. His output, consisting primarily of printmaking, covered a diverse range of subjects, from commercial identity to historical and literary compositions.

Twelve of William Sharp's prints are represented in major North American institutional holdings, establishing his historical significance as a printmaker during this era. His work is preserved in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Gallery of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago.

Sharp’s documented works demonstrate his technical versatility. Notable subjects include the self-referential Trade Card for William Sharp, Engraver, which records his professional activity, and literary illustrations such as King Lear. He also executed large-scale religious commissions, including The doctors of the church consulting books and documents and contemplating the Virgin who is shown above in heaven, flanked by angels, after Reni, a complex adaptation of an original painting. Further examples, like Relief from the Frieze of the Temple of Victory Apteros, confirm his proficiency in detailed architectural and classical rendering.

The legacy of William Sharp prints is maintained through these major museum collections. Many historical works by Sharp are now in the public domain, allowing institutions to provide high-quality prints for study and preservation.